Tedford never fell out of love with big and big-armed QB’s. I know for a fact that he wouldn’t look at Russell Wilson-types. Under 6’2″, fuggetaboutit. The game has passed him by. Bridgeford is the prototype that Dykes doesn’t need or want.

Tedford would’ve kept Johnny Football buried on his depth chart or converted him to a DB.

HFIP

The flaw with the star system is that certain players will get bumped up just by getting an offer from a certain coach. Many of the QBs Tedford recruited were not very good, but because they got an offer from Tedford, they would get bumped to 4 stars. Tedford’s rep was strong enough to warrant that…unfortunately it wasn’t justified.

rotfogel

I agree with Jon, for whatever reason the college game kinda passed Tedford by, certainly in the grooming of QBs.

For the first time in a while I think there is a true QB competition and I believe whomever wins the starting job will end the season in the upper half of QBs in the Pac 12 this year. I say that because of the simplicity of Dykes system coupled with the fact that the Qbs that remain are all talented players.

If anyone beats out Kline, then that guy is going to be really good.

Steve W

Bridgford just wasn’t very good. You could see that on the field. His throwing motion was too slow. By the time he spotted an open receiver, it took too long for the ball to get there. Maybe his shoulder injury did him in.

I loved watching Longshore before he hurt his ankle. He was the real deal and led Cal to that number 2 ranking on 07 with big wins over Oregon and Tennessee.

Mr. Burns

Another way to look at it is in terms of Elite 11 designations. Longshore, Reed, Riley, Mansion, Bridgford, Hinder, Kline, and Goff all recipients; it seems like Cal has virtually owned getting an E11 QB every year (2007 off year; Andrew Luck notable recipient).

This doesn’t mean Cal has gotten 1 of the top 11 QB prospects every year; looking back over the classes some of these guys have been clear busts. But the E11 invites and camps do evaluate the prospects pretty carefully through a variety of drills, so presumably the final 11 selected each year come with some stamp of authentification.

Just underscore Wilner’s point that Tedford has underperformed in QB development and creating a scheme for his guys to succeed.

Tired Bear

Tedford’s problem in developing QBs is that he doesn’t know how to develop a QB. He had AR drop into his lap as a gift and somehow that made JT a ‘QB guru.’ WRONG! As the article argues, he’s just the opposite. Cal is where promising QBs went to have their careers destroyed.

Why the hell was Maynard starting or even taking up roster space? Because Keenan Allen put the pressure on Tedford and Tedford knuckled under. He lets those guys push him around and yet he throws Riley under the bus ONE mistake. He doesn’t *develop* QBs – that’s the problem.

I expect Dykes to to MUCH better in his first year even.

discdude

I’m of the belief that no single explanation accounts for Wilner’s douchiness. Is this news? What’s the point? Are you worried the 49ers might hire him? And what if he goes elsewhere as an OC or QB coach and then repeats some of his earlier success, then what? Yet another pageview pumper.

Mbjshark

Wait, I thought from reading some of the posters on this board that only USC ‘wastes’ elite talent.

@HFIP Can you offer proof of that assertion? I don’t Tedford’s name carrying enough weight to change player ratings.

Cuz Maynard was a sad case for a PAC12 QB when he got here from Buffalo – with a tendency to see only half the field, allowing defenses to shade to that side, and cut off passing lanes…
Plus he would lock in on his brother and boyhood battery mate, Keenan Allen, with a dangerously predictable lack of variation…
Tedford improved Maynard’s abilities significantly so that he had a 60% completion pct and a 130 PER, upon graduation… ok, but obviously not great…

Tedford was doomed from the start of this last season when a star LB was dismissed from the team, and other starters at LB, DB, and OL were injured early on in and during the season…

Fans of most schools would’ve recognized the above facts and cut their coach some slack….

Thankfully for Tree fans, who suffered 7 losses in 11 tries at the hands of Jeff “pigskin chef” Tedford, Hairless Bare fans are an impatient, envious lot, they want what the Cards got…

No such luck, losers… the rest is history…

Remo

Speaking as an ex-college athlete and remember watching my compatriots, a few kids can step in an play immediately, some simply never get an better and never make it, and some are not ready to play immediately, but every year they get better and and a few become outstanding.

Also, knowing something about stats, sometimes you just get unlucky. For awhile, it looked like first Longshore, and then Riley, was going to achieve greatness. But both stalled out. That is just the way it happens sometimes.

For comparison, let’s look at some first round NFL QB draft picks over the same time:

Ok, one of them won a superbowl (in 2008 the only 1st round QBs were Ryan and Flacco), but the others are out of football or their career is stalled.

Whether pros or college, predicting QB success is tough. Most College QB recruits don’t pan out – they end up sitting on the bench or floundering on the field, but as long as a few succeed the alums are happy and we never notice.

Maybe Klein will make it, and if not, maybe someone else.

Harold

You’re an idiot, discdude. Posting something only pumps pageviews if people are interested and discuss it — which, you may note, eight other people are doing, with more undoubtedly to come along. And yes, I’d say Allen Bridgeford’s decision to leave Cal counts as news, and analyzing Tedford’s record on quarterbacks offers that news context. Ironically, the only pageview pumper here is you, posting an emptyheaded comment about an item which you purport to not care about.

Coach Johnny Dawkins

Harold, I’m not seeing you at the games, what’s up?

Coach Johnny

sourdough

Yeah, the game has passed (sic) pocket passers by. Seems injuries to certain people who were media darlings in Philly and the real WA Zoo
(runs on pure Direct Current from my pocket book to theirs) get injured. never let the facts get in the way of a poorly written opinion.

discdude

Ah, yes, the blog police are out in force! You tool Harold, you’re the azzhat. When anyone responds that something is for pageviews, out come the internet police. You tell me Harold, what’s to be gained here? 11 comments so far? Yeah, this might shoot to 12 when you respond and I don’t come back to read it. The right time for Wilner to post something about Tedford is when he gets his next job. That’s the time for possible career review, not when some QB who clearly is not meant for the new system leaves. I only look at this POS blog when useless crap is posted, this one definitely made me wonder the intent. Funny thing is that I think Wilner’s not a bad analyst on some things, but dragging the ex-coach through the mud? Boy, that must make him feel good.

Hey, thanks for responding to me directly Harold…but then again, what do you expect from a Farm animal. Don’t worry, Coach Dawkins will be getting his annual reaming by Wilner soon. Then, he’ll micro-analyze every Dawkins’ decision over the last 5 years in 30 more posts over the next 14 years to remind that “he’s the expert.” Tool on, Harold, I won’t be back for awhile, trust me, it’s been 3 to 4 years.

Trees Forever

Bridgford was ALREADY on the long list of Tedfraud QBs. He only had one year left Nd he couldn’t beat out Maynard. Why would Dykes spend one minute coaching him? He doesn’t fit the new offense, he’s clearly not any good, and only has one year left

Good that he’s going to graduate. That piece of paper is worth much more than his throwing arm

The Fake Jeff Tedford

The failure of a series of QB’s can’t be blamed on me, when I didn’t even have a terlet in my office.

signed,
Jeff Tedford

ps thanks for the payoff.

NODER

Zach Kline is the real deal. He should become the next Andrew Luck at Cal and beat Mansion and Bridgford. I’m sorry to say, but Cal and Tedford have sucked at QB but Zach Kline is a boss and I’m so happy he’s here. wow

Boehm isn’t bad but his HS system doesn’t match up with Sonny Dyke’s new offense, Zach Kline is the clear. choise. Noder’s #1 Zach Kline – not an overhyped, primmadona doofus like Matt Barkley was so heralded out of high school

I still remain dumbfounded at Tedford’s lack of success after Rodgers.
Longshore had one good season. And even he never showed much zest in the 4th quarterback, even when healthy. Overall, Cal’s quarterbacks were an embarrassment over that time period…..some were just pitiful. Again and again, we’d hear marvelous reports of their potential and then be utterly disappointed. One young man (who shall mercifully remain nameless) was purported to be a star waiting in the wings, yet when he finally played as a fifth year starter, he was atrocious…..no way he could have looked so bad and thrown so poorly in high school. What in the world had Tedford done to him??? Truly defies logic…..

The Fake Pep Hamilton

Noder,

Sure, those next Andrew Lucks come along every year. Congratulation to California Berkeley on all their BCS bowls. Oh wait…..

signed,
Pep Hamilton
The Andrew Luck Director of Andrew Luck
Indianapolis Colts, National Football League

marionDuck

Anyone could see it – Tedford sucking the natural ability out of his quarterbacks to install his own inflexible robotic disciplines. He locked up the real star quality – the quality that must come from within.
Can’t wait to see the real Cal, the fresh new approach, the restoration of confidence and spirit!

The Fake Michael Jordan

Last I checked, they were still looking for the next me. Been 30 years since the Bulls drafted me and they ain’t found him yet.

Kline might be good, but he is no Andrew Luck. That’s a once in a generation kind of QB. He was the best Stanford QB since Plunkett, and in the NFL he might become the best one since Peyton Manning.

Mbjshark

Good call Noder, Barkley was terrible and I am sure that Kline is already much better than Barkley ever was. Disregard these facts about Barkley:

All time Pac12 leader in Pass Completions
All time Pac12 leader in Passing Yards
All time Pac12 leader in Passing TDs

Now concerning his character, also disregard his volunteer work at Camp Pendleton, his motivational speaking to high schoolers regarding the importance of staying in school, and his volunteer work in Africa. You are right, he is just a primadonna and of shallow character.

Look, Kline may turn out to be great, but you might want to let him throw a TD pass or two before you start comparing him to anyone.

shur nuff

Mike the pike -r keep to your own sport – gamblin on golf. Elway was somewhere in there. Plunkett went to one superbowl and while superb, Mr. Luck has been to none.

axisofweevils

As a 50+ year Duck fan, I can honestly say that the quality and abilities of UO QBs IMPROVED when Tedford left for Cal. While some saw his hire at Cal as a defection, a lot of us were looking at the trail of missed opportunities he had to develop someone in Eugene. He had exactly ONE good college level QB during his time at UO.

Since his departure, the Ducks have “made due” with three star, two star and walk on quarterbacks, yet had some of the most productive offenses in the country with decent, and sometimes excellent QB play.

Cal could have gone a long way with the QB talent overlooked by Tedford, and developed by UO. He had the pieces in place for a couple Rose Bowls and Pac-10 championships.

Nor-Cal Scott

As much as I want to keep good thoughts in my memories about Tedford, the stark reality is that he was the problem.

He got the “QB Guru” tag before he arrived at Cal, having mentored Dilfer, Carr, Akili Smith, and others. Yes, he had Aaron Rodgers gift wrapped and handed to him by pure luck. After that he ruined every QB who arrived in Strawberry Canyon.

JT ruined highly talented kids when they arrived at Cal. A complex playbook, on top of being a student-athlete at a world class university, only confused our QBs. Who remembers the game when Brock Mansion came in to replace an injured Kevin Riley? I’ve NEVER, EVER seen a #2 backup QB look so unprepared.

To stick up for Bridgford, he had many passes dropped and had the worst OL during the Tedford era. Injuries, apathy, whatever… To say that Maynard was better via stats is redonkulous. ZM padded his stats in one game vs UCla.

Tree Hugger

shur noff — You’re right, the fake Michael should have remembered a guy named Elway, and Elway went to more Super Bowls than Plunkett, but just to correct the record, Jim Plunkett won the same number of Super Bowls as Elway.

The Fake Michael Jordan

Elway’s record at Stanford was nowhere near Plunkett’s or Luck’s. No bowl games, nowhere close to a 1/2-loss season, and Stanford had a losing record while Elway was QB. He had one great season of personal success and finished second in Heisman voting.

As for the NFL, I said that Luck “might become” the best QB since Peyton Manning, who played AFTER both Plunkett and Elway. Jury’s still out there, just as it was after my rookie season in the NBA.

maddogsfavsnpiks

@NorKal Skott, currently # 24… yah, that Jeff “Edsel” Tedford ruined all that talent so bad that he won the most ! …let me repeat, THE MOST football games of ANY kalifornica head football coach, and he built and compiled that resume out of next to nothing ! (compare my name-sake Smith even !!)

TEN Kalifornica HCs and half a CENTURY… hello ! …for nearly 50 years, duh bare went no where…
went knowheresville bowl not even,
with a couple blips on the football screen, like Snyder, n Mariucci who got while they could n scrammed as fast as they could and Snyder NEVER won a big game in 5 years, i think it was… ?

And not only did he, being Ted “word”, win THE most football games of any Kalifornica footy HC, he’s tied for the MOST big game wins… that’s not the little game we’re talkin’ ’bout…gnome say’n ? that’s tied with THE legendary

the Real Lynn Papi Waldwarf…

ha

..and he was a big bear of a man, believe me… least that’s my kid memory of ‘m.. me bein’ a kid back then

Ranger John

Hey, Kyle Reed beat UCDavis on the final play of the game….with a slant to Kevin Yurovich…he just didn’t get up to speed on the offense.

4 stars aren’t always 4 stars and 2 stars might be a lot better, look at Mr Fales from SJS…an unknow whom, in on season, lead the nation in passing efficiency! Boise State loves to pick up the undervalued players…

Ranger John

@Marion duck, I think you’ll like what you see next year…but the hurry up has to have a defense that can get you the ball.

carp

Important to recruiting HS QBs…Cal was recruiting the heralded players with 4* and Elite 11’s. These players typically commit to a program in May or so of their junior year of high school. This prevents many teams from getting players who bloom a little later and keeps them stuck with players who maybe just aren’t that good.

Additionally, Tedford would, for whatever reason, keep the starter in there despite horrific play. He’d also frequently, but not always, opt for the more senior QB. Combined, this would leave Cal fans wondering…”Could all of them be THIS bad?”

Meanwhile, Dykes is giving major practice reps to 2 freshmen.

QB

Many of yor best quarterbacks have natural talent, instincts and continuously work hard to master their position. They aren’t hoisted on a pedistal and they certainly don’t have multiple stars after their name on the recruiting sites. Tell a confident, talented kid from a small high school that he doesn’t belong on the same field as an Elite 11 QB. This kid will go to a camp or two, compete against many of those highly touted QBs and come away with more confidence then they had going in. Who knew anything about David Fales before last year?